Family Reunification Visas: A Complete Guide in 2026

Family reunification visas allow citizens and legal permanent residents to sponsor family members like spouses and children who are living in a foreign country. These visas usually require proof of the relationship, of accommodation, and of sufficient funds to support the family. 

Our guide explains what these visas are, the eligibility requirements and processes, how much they tend to cost, the processing times, the benefits and the rights received once a family reunification visa has been granted.  

Family Reunification Visas: Key Takeaways

A family reunification visa enables families to be reunited in a different country where one family member has citizenship, legal residency, or in some cases refugee status.  

Common eligibility criteria include proof of legal status, proof of relationship, and sufficient income to meet the affordability thresholds.  

The cost of a family reunification visa will vary greatly by country with the US visa costing at least $1,350.  

The forms needed for a US family reunification visa include Form I-130 and the processing time ranges from 6 months to several years.  

Benefits include family reunification, increased financial stability, and a pathway to citizenship by naturalization.  

Family reunification visas enable families to be reunited after immigration. These visas allow a citizen, permanent resident, and sometimes even a refugee to sponsor their family members who are in a foreign country. The eligible family members will depend on the country, with the US allowing spouses, children, siblings, and parents.  

There are two main roles in family reunification visas: the sponsor or petitioner and the beneficiary or applicant. The sponsor needs to meet requirements that will vary by country but will generally include an income threshold, proof of accommodation, and proof of the relationship like birth certificates or marriage certificates.  

The eligible relatives for sponsorship will depend on the country that is being accessed.  For example, the US allows the following:  

US citizens 

• Spouse 
• Unmarried children under 21 
• Married children of any age 
• Siblings (if the petitioner is 21 or older) 
• Parents (if the petitioner is 21 or older) 

Green Card holders (permanent residents) 

• Spouse 
• Unmarried children of any age 

Other extended family members, such as grandparents, aunts, or cousins, are not eligible for sponsorship under family-based immigration in the US. 

Eligibility for the visas will differ per country, but there are general requirements that most countries impose:  

1. Proof of Valid Legal Status: The sponsor will need to prove that they are a legal resident of the country. This can be proof of citizenship or permanent legal residency like a Green Card in the US.  
2. Income Threshold: To prove that they can support their family, the sponsor will need to meet income requirements. In the US, this is 125% of the federal poverty level, which is $48,487 for a four-person household.  
3. Housing Requirement: The petitioner must show that they can adequately house the family members that they are sponsoring. For example, the US has no inspection requirement, but it does require a home address and can sometimes require a lease agreement or proof of home ownership.  
4. Proof of Relationship: The relationship that is being claimed will need to be proved through marriage certificates, birth certificates, or adoption certificates if relevant.  
5. Health Insurance: Immigrants may need health insurance as part of their requirements. This is the case in the US where applicants and sponsors need to have health insurance. The insurance can be employer-sponsored, privately purchased, or acquired through the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  
6. Integration Conditions: Certain countries require beneficiaries to take language or integration classes after their arrival. The US does not have a language test but countries like Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands, for example, require basic language tests before or shortly after arrival. 
7. Humanitarian Exceptions: In some cases where the sponsor is a refugee or humanitarian visa holder, the requirements may be reduced. This is because family reunification is a humanitarian cause.  

The following is the process for a family reunification visa application in the United States:  

01/ File the petition 

The individual legally residing in the US as either a citizen or permanent resident (Green Card holder) files Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This form begins the process and establishes familial relationships.

02/ Visa approval and availability 

USCIS reviews the application and once approved, relatives may apply for a visa if there is one available. Immediate relatives like spouses and children will not need to wait for availability while more distant relatives like siblings may face delays in the process. The process takes around 6 to 12 months for close relatives and can take years for more distant relatives.  

03/ Visa application  

Relatives that are outside of the US can apply for an immigrant visa through their local consulate or embassy. Relatives inside the US will need to apply for an Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) to become Green Card holders. 

04/ Interview and medical exam 

Applicants will need to complete a medical exam at their own expense in their home country, and they will need to attend an interview at a US embassy or consulate.  

05/ Entry to the US 

Once this process has been completed and the family has received approval, they can enter the US on an immigrant visa.  

The cost of a family reunification visa will vary heavily based on the country in question. In the US for example:  

• Form I-130 (Petition for an Alien Relative): $625 online, $675 via paper 
• Immigrant Visa Processing Fee (NVC): $325 per person 
• Affidavit of Support Review: $120 
• USCIS Immigrant Fee (Green Card Issuance): $220 
• Medical Exam: Varies by country and medical facility, but it can range between $50 and $300 
• Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status, if already in the US): $1,440  

There are also additional fees to be aware of, like: document translations and notarizations, travel expenses, legal fees, agency fees, and health insurance premiums. 

1. Family Reunification: The visa’s primary benefit is that families can once again live together in the same country. This enables a far greater sense of happiness and belonging in the new nation. 
2. Emotional Wellbeing: There are a multitude of emotional benefits to being with family members, and studies have shown that families are better equipped to integrate into society. 
3. Increased Economic Stability: When a sponsored spouse gains residency rights, they also gain the right to work in the country. This means households will earn two incomes instead of one, drastically increasing stability.  
4. Social Integration: Developing a social network is difficult for an individual, and this is made easier by having family members present. A small social circle like a family is the basic building block of integration.  
5. Pathway to Citizenship: Residing in a country legally for an extended period is the primary requirement of citizenship by naturalization. The US requires individuals to have legally resided in the country for five years before applying for citizenship. The US also allows dual citizenship.  
6. Education: Living in another country means that families will have access to the education system, which could be far better than the one they used to have access to. For example, the US ranks 1^st on our Global Intelligence Unit’s Education Index. 
7. Healthcare: Residency rights can also come with access to a country’s public healthcare system. In the US, expats can access healthcare through the ACA Marketplace.  

• Incomplete or fraudulent documentation 
• Insufficient income for the thresholds 
• Lack of suitable housing arrangements 
• A Marriage or adoption may not be legally recognized under the host country’s laws 
• Security or health risks are found during the screening process 

Applicants usually have the right to appeal these decisions or reapply once mistakes are corrected. It is highly recommended to use a trusted and experienced global mobility firm in these processes, such as Global Citizen Solutions.